Day 57 and 58 - 5th weekend in Cambodia

Day 57 - Sat: I walked along Russian Boulevard (George Dimitriov Street) today to the Bayon Supermarket. Bought some coffee as I've been missing it so much. I should have taken my camera though as there were some shots of the Frangipane trees (chom pai) lining the boulevard that I would have taken, also the frieze of bas-reliefs on the front of the Royal HQ of armed forces building (DN - Defence Ministry). All baking in the sun. The sidewalk is good here as hardly anyone uses it (for walking or driving over!).

Only three of us for lunch today and I took some photos - me, Sophie from Denmark and Edwige from northern France (who is only 17 but very nice).  

We volunteered (!) to go out for lunch tomorrow as Rath (our cook) wants to vote, so we are doing our bit! As I was walking back from the supermarket I found a political flyer for CNRP ( getting hold of their stuff is difficult as there is not enough) so I picked it up to bring home. 

On the way some guys who know us (neighbours) saw me and started shouting, "no. 7", so I replied appropriately "go, go go!" ( which is their chant). Big hit! Must be careful though as this is a bit of a CPP area (as they are rich and therefore corrupt)!

Not my photo, but CPP supporters.

Update: Russian Boulevard from the "Greeting Cafe". Frangipane trees.

PS. Finally watched Tomb Raider - it is the first one that feature Angkor Wat!

PPS. I gave some of my clothes away to Rath, our cook. She was wearing one of my tops this evening. Who'd have thought a t shirt I took round Canada would end up on a Cambodian cook? Very cool! I'm very pleased.

Day 58 - Election Day : everything is shut! Even the supermarket. I don't know why I'm surprised (and its certainly gratifying that the Cambodians take their voting seriously in such numbers) however the city is practically deserted. Orussey Market was closed and the Russian Market too. Central Market was open on about 50% of stalls though. We saw some guys unloading ice.

I went with Laure, one of the newbies who I will be going to the coast with tomorrow. We wandered about and then headed to Riverside to see if anything was open there. 

Saw a few polling booths. Everyone with their right index fingers black with ink. It was now the afternoon and on Riverside The Blue Pumpkin was open so for my final day on Phnom Penh I felt it my duty to introduce Laure to the ice cream wonders. Chocolate.  Then I booked my flight to Sydney! 

A good day.